COUNTDOWN TO THE GAMES: Women’s curling team gearing up

The Lauren Ferguson-skipped rink from Cornwall, Crapaud and Charlottetown will represent the Island at the 2019 Canada Games in Red Deer, Alta. Team members are, from left, Ferguson, third Katie Shaw, second Alexis Burris, lead Lexie Murray and coach David Murphy. - Contributed

P.E.I. squad has busy few weeks before representing province at Canada Games in Alberta

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The flight to Red Deer, Alta., is fast approaching for Team P.E.I.’s women’s curling team.
With about five weeks before they hit the ice against the rest of the country, skip Lauren Ferguson and her teammates are prepping almost every day. Alexis Burris, Lexie Murray and Katie Shaw, along with Ferguson, went 2-1 in Moncton during the weekend in their latest installment of pre-Games action.

They also represented P.E.I. at the under-18 nationals in St. Andrews, N.B., earlier this season. The tournament showcased several teams Team P.E.I. will see at the Games, which provided a level of confidence heading into the recent pre-Games tournament in Moncton.
Coach David Murphy is optimistic about the next several weeks, knowing all the hard work from the last two years will start to pay dividends.
The team has been practising twice a week, playing at least one game and has participated in physical, mental and nutritional training under Travis McIsaac at Synergy Fitness and Nutrition. Having won a pre-Games tournament in Moncton earlier this season, it’s undeniable their hard work is paying off. Murphy believes they have played up to 50 games already this season and have no signs of slowing down before February.
While at the Games, the team’s clear goal is to qualify for the playoff round. If successful in achieving this feat, the group knows anything can happen. Murphy describes the team moral as a significant part of their optimistic chances at the Games.
“They are very upbeat, confident and supportive of each other. It’s a team sport, and they are very aware of that.”
He talked about how the parents have led by example, providing an immense amount of support to the team.
“We wouldn’t be here without the team (member’s) parents.”
Ferguson is coming off a provincial team and mixed doubles championship in the past 365 days. The next item on the list is to make an impact on the national stage. The 2019 Canada Games will provide the perfect time and place to achieve such an accolade. With an entire province cheering from home, it just might be enough motivation to push a well-deserving team to the podium.
For more information on Team P.E.I. and the 2019 Canada Games, stay tuned for our Countdown to the Games articles and be sure to follow Team P.E.I. on Facebook and Twitter.
#IsleBeReady

Jared Murphy is a sport co-ordinator with Sport P.E.I. and will be assistant chef de mission for Team P.E.I. during Week 2 of the 2019 Canada Games.

ROSTER
A look at Team P.E.I.’s women’s curling team for the Canada Games.
Alexis Burris